U.S. patent number 8,021,222 [Application Number 10/790,167] was granted by the patent office on 2011-09-20 for game based on speed of play.
This patent grant is currently assigned to IGT. Invention is credited to James A. Jorasch, Daniel E. Tedesco, Jay S. Walker.
United States Patent |
8,021,222 |
Walker , et al. |
September 20, 2011 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Game based on speed of play
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such
as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn
determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. In some
embodiments, a count is adjusted throughout a multiple play session
based on point values associated with symbols on the reels of a
slot machine, and payouts are awarded in accordance with (i) a
finishing count, and/or (ii) a "virtual average speed".
Inventors: |
Walker; Jay S. (Ridgefield,
CT), Jorasch; James A. (Stamford, CT), Tedesco; Daniel
E. (Huntington, CT) |
Assignee: |
IGT (Reno, NV)
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Family
ID: |
46300939 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/790,167 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20040185929 A1 |
Sep 23, 2004 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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09783251 |
Feb 14, 2001 |
6695700 |
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09001902 |
Dec 31, 1997 |
6238288 |
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60451573 |
Mar 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/13;
463/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/3244 (20130101); G07F 17/3267 (20130101); G06Q
30/02 (20130101); G07F 17/34 (20130101); G07F
17/3255 (20130101); G07F 17/323 (20130101); G07F
17/3234 (20130101); A63F 2001/008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/24 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;463/16,20-23,25,26,41-43,46,47,13,6
;273/138.1,139,141R,141A,143R,143A ;700/90-92 |
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Primary Examiner: Elisca; Pierre E
Attorney, Agent or Firm: K&L Gates LLP
Parent Case Text
The present application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/451,573, filed Mar. 3,
2003, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING A GAME IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SPEED OF PLAY", the entirety of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
The present applications is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/783,251, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
DIRECTING A GAME IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPEED OF PLAY", filed Feb. 14,
2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,700), and which is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/001,902, entitled "METHOD AND
APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING A GAME IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPEED OF PLAY",
filed Dec. 31, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,288). The entirety of
this application is incorporated by reference herein.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of
instructions to: (a) determine a plurality of plays at a gaming
device; (b) calculate a speed of game play for the plurality of
plays based on a number of plays per unit time; causing the at
least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to
determine a pay schedule for at least one subsequent play based on
the calculated speed of game play; and causing at least one display
device to display a racing object having a position which changes
based on the calculated speed of game play, wherein a player payout
percentage defined by the determined pay schedule for the at least
one subsequent play is greater for a first speed of game play than
for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than
the second speed.
2. The method of claim 1, which comprises: causing the at least one
processor to execute the plurality of instructions to calculate the
speed of game play based on a number of plays which have occurred
since a predefined amount of time.
3. The method of claim 1, which comprises: causing the at least one
processor to execute the plurality of instructions to calculate the
speed of game play based on a predetermined number of plays.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing a payout
based on at least the determined pay schedule.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: causing the at least
one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to calculate
a running count based on the speed of game play; and providing a
payout based on at least the running count.
6. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
receiving payment for a predetermined number of at least three
distinct plays of a game; calculating a speed of game play for each
of the plurality of predetermined number of plays of the game, said
calculated speed of game play being based on a number of plays of
the game per unit of time; for each of the predetermined number of
plays of the game, generating a slot machine outcome; and causing
at least one display device to display a racing object having a
position which changes based on the calculated speed of game
play.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: providing a payout
based on at least the calculated speed of game play.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: providing a payout
based on at least the position.
9. The method of claim 6, further comprising: causing the at least
one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to calculate
an average speed; and providing a payout based on at least the
average speed.
10. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of
instructions to: (a) determine revenue received per unit of time
from a player playing a wagering game at a gaming device; (b)
determine a magnitude of a multiplier based on the revenue, wherein
the multiplier is of a first magnitude for a first revenue and of a
second magnitude for a second revenue and further wherein the first
revenue is greater than the second revenue and the first magnitude
is greater than the second magnitude; (c) determine a base amount
for a payout; causing the at least one processor to execute the
plurality of instructions to calculate the payout by multiplying
the base amount by the multiplier; and providing the payout to the
player.
11. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of
instructions to determine a value indicative of revenue received
per unit of time from a player playing a wagering game at a gaming
device; causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality
of instructions to determine a payout based on the value; and
providing the payout to the player, wherein determining the value
indicative of revenue received comprises determining a multiplier,
wherein the multiplier is of a first magnitude if the revenue is a
first revenue and the multiplier is of a second magnitude if the
revenue is a second revenue, and wherein the first magnitude is
greater than the second magnitude and the first revenue is greater
than the second revenue, and further wherein determining the payout
based on the multiplier comprises determining a base value for the
payout and determining the payout by multiplying the multiplier by
the base value.
12. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of
instructions to determine a speed at which a wagering game is being
played at a gaming device for each of a plurality of plays; causing
the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions
to determine, based on the speed, a reward to provide to a player
participating in the wagering game; and providing the reward to the
player for each of the plurality of plays, wherein the reward is
determined such that a more beneficial reward is determined and
provided to the player if the speed is a first speed that is
greater than a second speed.
13. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of
instructions to: (a) determine a plurality of plays at a gaming
device; (b) calculate a speed of game play for each of the
plurality of plays based on a number of plays per unit time; and
causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of
instructions to determine a pay schedule for at least one
subsequent play based on the calculated speed of game play; wherein
a player payout percentage defined by the determined pay schedule
for the at least one subsequent play is greater for a first speed
of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed
being greater than the second speed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to amusement devices, and more
specifically to electronic chance devices.
Casinos and other entities that derive revenue from gaming devices,
such as slot machines, video poker machines and video blackjack
machines, attempt to maximize revenue. Gaming devices generate
revenue in accordance with the following equation: REVENUE=(HOUSE
EDGE).times.(HOURS PLAYED).times.(PLAYS/HOUR) Of the above three
variables, two, Hours Played and Plays/Hour, are directly
controlled by the player, and are thus difficult for a casino to
change. The third, House Edge, is directly controlled by a casino
but is nonetheless difficult to change for regulatory reasons. In
addition, increasing House Edge can affect other variables to
actually decrease revenue, as is described below.
Players are primarily concerned with finding a gaming device with a
low "House Edge", also known as "hold percentage" (average
percentage of wagered money which is kept by the gaming device per
game). Equivalently, players are primarily concerned with finding a
gaming device with a high "payout percentage" (100% less House
Edge, which equals the average percentage of wagered money which is
returned to a player per game). Low hold percentages (high payout
percentages) are a significant factor in attracting players to one
casino rather than another. Accordingly, many casinos advertise
that they have gaming devices with very high payout
percentages.
Although a high payout percentage (low House Edge) may attract
players, it also results in lower revenue. Casinos, of course,
would prefer higher revenue, and may increase the House Edge to
increase revenue. Paradoxically, increasing the House Edge does not
always increase revenue. The House Edges of gaming devices are
often displayed in publications or on the gaming device itself.
Many players will avoid gaming devices that they believe to have
low payout percentages, or high House Edges. Thus, if the House
Edge is increased on certain gaming devices, the Hours Played or
Plays/Hour on those gaming devices may decrease, and revenues may
likewise decrease.
In addition, when a casino wants to adjust the hold percentage of a
slot machine, state and/or local regulations may require that the
machine be removed from the casino floor, adjusted accordingly,
then reactivated. Accordingly, some casinos may be reluctant to
increase the House Edge of gaming devices in an attempt to increase
revenues from those devices.
Increasing the Hours Played is difficult or impossible because a
casino cannot easily modify player behavior. Casinos typically
remove clocks from the view of players, make the seats and playing
area more comfortable and serve free drinks in an attempt to modify
player behavior. Additionally, the gaming devices themselves have
become increasingly more entertaining in order to entice the player
to play longer. Such measures may, at best, indirectly increase the
Hours Played, but do not necessarily increase the Hours Played
significantly or at all.
Increasing the Plays/Hour (speed of game play) is likewise
difficult or impossible. Efforts to increase this factor include
providing a spin button, rather than a handle, on some slot
machines, allowing the player to initiate each game quickly. In
addition, some slot machines have faster stopping reels, which end
each game more quickly. Furthermore, a group of gaming machines may
be in communication over a network, allowing each of a group of
players to influence the movement of an object in a race, such as a
horse race or car race. Such a racing game may make some players
play faster than they would have. However, other players view such
a game as annoyingly complicated and do not participate.
Casinos may also sponsor tournaments, in which the first player to
win a jackpot or reach a certain score wins a prize. Casinos may
also organize player clubs, in which players receive points for the
number of plays or amounts wagered. Such points can be redeemed for
goods and services once the player has reached a certain threshold.
Casinos may also offer players the chance to win a "progressive
jackpot", which increases over time and is typically available to
all players in a casino playing slot machines. When a progressive
jackpot reaches a large dollar amount, players typically play
rapidly in an attempt to win that jackpot. Since each player knows
that all other players have a chance to win, they play faster in an
attempt to increase their chances of winning the jackpot. However,
other players are not attracted by such casino promotions, and
their playing behavior is thus unaffected by the promotions.
In summary, it would be advantageous to increase a player's
attraction to a gaming device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electronic gaming device
provided in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of gaming devices
which are in communication with a network server.
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a set of elements of a
slot machine-type game, and arrangement of those elements in a slot
machine-type game.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an outcome probabilities
database of the electronic gaming device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary payout table of
the electronic gaming device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for directing a game
in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a selection table and payout
tables of the electronic gaming device of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are schematic illustrations of the payout
tables of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a
selection table of the electronic gaming device of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are schematic illustrations of payout tables
calculated in accordance with the selection table of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Applicants have recognized that it is possible to increase the
speed of play (Plays/Hour) of a gaming device significantly, and
thereby significantly increase the revenue. Players typically do
not consider the speed of play, but instead attempt to find a
gaming device with a low House Edge. Accordingly, a gaming device
that is played rapidly will not discourage players, and can thus
generate more revenue by providing an incentive to play faster and
for longer periods of time. Such a gaming device may generate so
much revenue that the higher payout percentage will be offset.
By offering an incentive to play faster, a gaming device will
typically be played more often over time than those devices that do
not provide such an incentive. The casino can in turn derive
greater revenue from the gaming device, even though the player is
afforded a higher payout percentage.
In jurisdictions which require a gaming device to be monitored, the
gaming device could maintain an audit trail for later review by
regulators. Thus, the gaming device could automatically adjust the
hold percentages as desired while conforming to regulatory
requirements.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the drawings and
accompanying descriptions presented herein are exemplary
arrangements for stored representations of information. A number of
other arrangements may be employed besides the tables shown.
Similarly, the illustrated entries represent exemplary information,
but those skilled in the art will understand that the number and
content of the entries can be different from those illustrated
herein.
Referring to FIG. 1, a gaming device 10 comprises a processor 12,
such as one or more conventional microprocessors, which is in
communication with a data storage device 14, such as an appropriate
combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory. The
processor 12 and the storage device 14 may each be (i) located
entirely within a single computer or other computing device; (ii)
connected to each other by a remote communication link, such as a
serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver;
or (iii) a combination thereof. For example, the gaming device 10
may comprise one or more computers which are connected to a remote
server computer for maintaining databases.
The processor 12 is further in communication with a display 16 and
player input devices 18. The display 16 is a graphical display
device, such as a video monitor of a type used in conventional
electronic gaming devices, for displaying images generated by the
processor 12 during a game. Such images are described below. The
display 16 need not be included in certain types of gaming devices,
such as purely mechanical slot machines. The player input devices
18 include input devices well known in the art, such as a touch
screen for generating a signal indicative of a location on the
touch screen that is touched or pressed by a player, and/or buttons
which indicate player commands and selections when actuated. Other
input devices will be understood by those skilled in the art.
The processor 12 is further in communication with a coin acceptor
20 for generating a signal indicative of the number of coins
inserted and their type. The coin acceptor 20 thereby allows the
processor 12 to determine an amount of funds which are deposited by
a player and retained in a coin reservoir (not shown). A hopper 22
for dispensing coins from the coin reservoir (not shown) is in
communication with the processor 12. When the player requests to
"cash out" (receive all funds he is due), the processor determines
if the player is due any funds ("credit"). If so, the processor 12
directs the hopper 22 to release an appropriate number and type of
coins in a known manner.
The processor 12 is further in communication with a card reader 24
for reading information stored on a player tracking card (not
shown). Such a player tracking card may be magnetically encoded
with data representing an amount of funds, and/or with data
representing a player identifier, such as a player name or account
number. Accordingly, a player may use a player tracking card
instead of inserting coins into and receiving coins from the gaming
device 10. The player identifier can be used in accessing other
player-related information stored on a network server or other
remote device. Thus, the card reader 24 also allows the processor
12 to receive and transmit player-related information. The card
reader 24 may also include a display for displaying the value of
funds stored in association with a player tracking card, thereby
informing the player of an amount of funds available.
A clock 26 in communication with the processor 12 generates signals
that indicate time. Thus, the processor 12 may ascertain the time
of day or the time that has elapsed between two events.
The storage device 14 stores (i) a program 28 for controlling the
processor 12; (ii) an outcome probabilities database 30 for
indicating probabilities of game outcomes; and (iii) one or more
payout tables 32 for indicating payouts (funds won) for game
outcomes. The processor 12 performs instructions of the program 28,
thereby operating in accordance with the present invention, and
particularly in accordance with the methods described in detail
herein. For example, the program 28 stores data indicative of game
rules and elements. The program 28 furthermore includes program
elements that may be necessary, such as an operating system and
"device drivers" for allowing the processor to interface with
computer peripheral devices, such as the hopper 22 and the card
reader 24. Appropriate device drivers and other necessary program
elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be
described in detail herein.
In the above-described embodiment, the gaming device 10 is an
electronic or electro-mechanical device similar to those used in
casinos. As such, the gaming device 10 would include typical
components such as the coin acceptor 20, the hopper 22 and/or the
card reader 24. In another embodiment, the gaming device 10 may be
implemented as software that directs one or more computers, such as
conventional personal computers based on Intel Pentium.RTM.
microprocessors. Furthermore, such software implementations of the
gaming device 10 may be operative to implement gaming over
networks, such the Internet.
Referring to FIG. 2, each of gaming devices 40, 42, 44 and 46 is in
communication with a network 48, and is thereby in communication
with a network server 50. Communication with the network server 50
allows each gaming device to access player-related information
stored on the network server. Those skilled in the art will
understand that many types of player-related information may be
stored, such as funds and predefined game preferences. Those
skilled in the art will also understand that many types of gaming
devices may operate in communication with a network server, while
many others may operate without any such communication to another
device.
Referring to FIG. 3, a set 60 of elements includes all possible
elements of a slot machine-type game. The set 60 includes a
cherries element 62, a bell element 64, a bar element 66, an orange
element 68, a plum element 70 and a seven element 72. During such a
game, the device randomly selects one element from each of a
plurality of reels, yielding a subset of elements that defines the
outcome for that game. For example, one possible subset is a bar
element, a plum element and a bell element. Another possible subset
is an orange element and two cherry elements.
For each reel in a slot machine-type game, the selected element is
one of twenty-two equally likely choices, each choice being one of
the set 60 of all possible elements. For example, a plurality 74 of
reels includes reels 76, 78 and 80, and the player is randomly
provided with an element chosen from each of the reels 76, 78 and
80, thereby yielding a subset that consists of three elements. The
three elements define the outcome, and therefore a payout.
It is noted that the number of choices is greater than the number
of elements. For example, although there are six elements 62, 64,
66, 68, 70 and 72, there are twenty-two choices on each reel, and
therefore there are 10,648 possible arrangements of elements for
each game (22.times.22.times.22=10,648).
Referring to FIG. 4, the outcome probabilities database 30 of FIG.
1 is shown in detail. Each row of the depicted database represents
a database entry, and each entry defines a probability of an
outcome occurring. In particular, each entry includes an outcome
description 100 which describes the outcome, and a number of
arrangements of elements 102 which indicates the number of
arrangements of elements which yield the outcome. For example, the
entry 110, corresponding to the outcome "orange/orange/orange",
indicates that there are forty-two arrangements of elements which
yield the outcome "orange/orange/orange". This is because, as shown
in FIG. 3, the reel 76 has two orange elements, the reel 78 has
three orange elements and the reel 80 has seven orange elements
(2.times.3.times.7=42). Similarly, the entry 112, corresponding to
the outcome "bar/bell/bell", indicates that there are four
arrangements of elements which yield the outcome "bar/bell/bell."
This is because, as shown in FIG. 3, the reel 76 has two bar
elements, the reel 78 has two bell elements and the reel 80 has one
bell element (2.times.2.times.1=4).
Each entry of the outcome probabilities database 30 further
includes a probability 104 which indicates the probability during
each game of the outcome occurring. For example, the entry 110,
corresponding to the outcome "orange/orange/orange", indicates that
there is a probability of 0.394% of the outcome
"orange/orange/orange" occurring. This is because, as discussed
above, there are forty-two arrangements of elements which yield the
outcome "orange/orange/orange", and there are 10,648 possible
arrangements of elements (42/10,648=0.00394=0.394%). Similarly, the
entry 112, corresponding to the outcome "bar/bell/bell", indicates
that there is a probability of 0.038% of the outcome
"bar/bell/bell" occurring. This is because, as discussed above,
there are four arrangements of elements which yield the outcome
"bar/bell/bell", and there are 10,648 possible arrangements of
elements (4/10,648=0.00038=0.038%).
Each entry further includes a random number range 106 which
indicates a range of random numbers that correspond to an
occurrence of the outcome. For example, in the embodiment
illustrated by FIG. 4 a random integer from 1 to 10,648 is selected
for each game. Accordingly, each integer from 1 to 10,648
corresponds to one of the entries of the outcome probabilities
database 30. The random number range 106 for each entry is selected
in accordance with the corresponding probability 104. For example,
the entry 110 indicates that a randomly selected integer which is
from 10,467 to 10,508 corresponds to the outcome
"orange/orange/orange". Since the range from 10,467 to 10,508
consists of forty-two integers, and the randomly selected integer
may be from 1 to 10,648, the probability of the outcome
"orange/orange/orange" occurring is 0.394%
(42/10,648=0.00394=0.394%).
Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary payout table 120 of the payout
tables 32 (FIG. 1) is illustrated. Each row of the payout table 120
indicates a payout for an outcome. The payout table 120 thus
defines a possible pay schedule for a game. As described below, the
actual pay schedule of a game may vary over time, and may
correspond to any of a number of payout tables. A pay schedule as
used herein indicates the payouts actually provided for outcomes of
a game.
Each entry of the payout table 120 includes (i) an outcome
description 122 that describes the outcome; (ii) a payout 124 that
indicates the number of coins awarded to the player when the
outcome occurs, in which the payout 124 is for each coin the player
wagers (e.g. payout of four indicates four coins awarded for every
coins wagered); (iii) a probability 126 which indicates the
probability during each game of the outcome occurring; and (iv) an
expected payout 128 which indicates the average number of coins
awarded for each game that are due to the outcome. As is known in
the art, the expected payout 128 is an "expected value" which is
equal to the sum of all products of each payout multiplied by the
corresponding probability of the payout occurring. It is noted that
the sum of all expected payouts shown in the payout table 120 is
approximately 0.954, and as is known the payout percentage is
defined as the sum of all expected payouts expressed as a
percentage. Thus, the payout percentage of a gaming device
operating according to the payout table 120 is approximately 95.4%.
Equivalently, the hold percentage, or House Edge, is approximately
4.6%.
Referring to FIG. 6, a process 150 initiates with the payer
indicating a wager amount for a game (step 152) and starting the
game (step 154). The gaming device 10 (FIG. 1) calculates a speed
of game play, as is described below, in any of a number of manners
(step 156). Based on the calculated speed of game play, the gaming
device determines a pay schedule (step 158). The player is then
provided with a payout in accordance with the determined pay
schedule (step 160).
The step 156 of calculating a speed of game play may comprise
measuring a number of games played in a predetermined time period,
measuring a time elapsed between games, or measuring a time elapsed
between other events. The clock 26 (FIG. 1) of the gaming device 10
(FIG. 1) may be used to measure a time period and a time elapsed.
Such measurements may be initiated upon the start of a game. For
example, the clock 26 may measure a time elapsed between
consecutive games of a series of games. Similarly the clock 26 may
measure a number of games played in a time period that begins upon
the start of a game. In other embodiments, measurements may be
initiated after a predetermined delay, which may be measured in
units of time, number of games or a combination thereof. For
example, the speed of game play may be measured as the number of
games played within a five minute period, in which the five minute
period begins after thirty seconds of a first game being initiated.
Alternatively, the speed of game play may be measured as the number
of games played within a five minute period, in which the five
minute period begins after fifteen games are played within a ninety
second time period.
Once the speed of game play is calculated, the gaming device
determines a pay schedule based on the calculated speed of game
play. In general, a pay schedule may be determined by (i) selecting
a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on the speed
of game play, or (ii) multiplying the payout values of a payout
table by a multiplier that is based on the speed of game play.
Referring to FIG. 7, a selection table 180 for selecting a payout
table from a plurality of payout tables based on the speed of game
play is illustrated. Those skilled in the art will understand that
the selection table 180 may be implemented as a database stored in
the storage device 14 (FIG. 1), may be implemented by process steps
defined by the program 28 (FIG. 1), or a combination thereof. The
selection table 180 includes entries 182, 184 and 186, each of
which indicates a payout table to select upon calculating a speed
of game play. Each of the entries 182, 184 and 186 includes (i) a
speed identifier 188 for uniquely identifying the entry; (ii) a
speed of play 190 range; and (iii) a selected payout table 192 for
indicating which of a plurality of payout tables is to be the pay
schedule for a game. In the example illustrated by FIG. 7, the
selected payout table 192 may indicate one of three payout tables
200, 210 and 220, which are named "standard", "enhanced" and
"superior", respectively, for reference purposes. For example, if
the speed of game play is calculated to be six games per minute,
then the entry 184 indicates that the enhanced payout table 210 is
to be the pay schedule. Those skilled in the art will understand
that the selection table 180 may include any number of payout
tables and/or entries.
Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, the payout tables 200, 210 and
220 are illustrated in detail. Each of the payout tables 200, 210
and 220 indicates similar payouts for the various outcomes except
the payout for the "seven/seven/seven" outcome. The entry 202
defines the payout for that outcome to be one hundred, the entry
212 defines the payout to be one hundred fifty and the entry 222
defines the payout to be two hundred. Accordingly, the payout table
220 defines a payout percentage which is higher than that of the
payout table 210. Similarly, the payout table 210 defines a payout
percentage which is higher than that of the payout table 200.
However, as described above, the higher speed of play can
compensate for the higher payout percentages (lower hold
percentages). As indicated by Table 1, the revenue derived from the
gaming device can actually be higher even when the hold percentage
is lower.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Revenue Calculations for Selection Table 180
STANDARD ENHANCED SUPERIOR Payout Percentage 95.4% 95.8% 96.3% Hold
Percentage 4.6% 4.2% 3.7% Minimum Plays per 1 4 9 Minute Maximum
Plays per 3 8 -- Minute Minimum Average 0.046 0.167 0.333 Revenue
per Minute Maximum Average 0.139 0.334 -- Revenue per Minute
In Table 1, minimum and maximum average revenue per minute are
calculated by multiplying the hold percentage with the minimum and
maximum plays per minute, respectively. In addition, the listed
values for revenue are in proportion to the amount wagered. For
example, the maximum average revenue per minute of 0.046 indicates
a revenue per minute of 4.6 cents for games in which a dollar (100
cents) is wagered.
As noted above, in the example illustrated by FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C,
each of the payout tables 200, 210 and 220 indicates similar
payouts for the various outcomes except the payout for the
"seven/seven/seven" outcome. However, those skilled in the art will
understand that the plurality of payout tables may indicate similar
or vastly dissimilar payouts, and likewise may indicate equal or
unequal payout percentages. Typically, payout percentage will be
higher for payout tables which are selected for higher speeds of
game play, and the revenue per time period will typically be higher
for higher speeds of game play. It can be especially advantageous
to increase only the payout for unlikely outcomes, such as the
outcome having the highest payout (e.g. a "jackpot" outcome). Even
doubling the payout of an extremely unlikely event can attract
players while also resulting in a payout percentage that is still
acceptable to a casino.
FIG. 9 illustrates a selection table 250 for determining a pay
schedule by multiplying the payout values of a predetermined payout
table ("base payout table") by a multiplier that is based on the
speed of game play. Those skilled in the art will understand that
the selection table 250 may be implemented as a database stored in
the storage device 14 (FIG. 1), may be implemented by process steps
defined by the program 28 (FIG. 1), or a combination thereof. The
selection table 250 includes entries 252, 254 and 256, each of
which indicates a multiplier that is based on a speed of game play.
Each of the entries 252, 254 and 256 includes (i) a speed
identifier 258 for uniquely identifying the entry; (ii) a speed of
play 260 range; and (iii) a multiplier 262 for indicating an amount
by which to multiply the payout values of the base payout table.
Since a payout (number of coins won per coin wagered) is typically
an integer, a product of the multiplier and a payout may be rounded
down to the highest integer value. For example, for a multiplier
1.04 and a payout 20, the product is 1.04.times.20=20.8, which
rounds down to 20. In many cases, this rounding down will result in
an unchanged payout.
The speed of play thus indicates a multiplier. For example, if the
speed of game play is calculated to be nine games per minute, then
the entry 256 indicates that the multiplier is 1.04. Those skilled
in the art will understand that any number of multipliers and/or
entries in the selection table 250 may be used.
Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, payout tables 280, 290 and 300
are illustrated in detail. The payout tables 280, 290 and 300
correspond to the multipliers of FIG. 9 applied to a base payout
table, which is equal to the payout table 120 of FIG. 5. The payout
table 280 corresponds to the speed of play indicated by the entry
252, and thus to a multiplier of 1.00. Thus, the payout table 280
indicates the same payouts as the base payout table. The payout
tables 290 and 300 correspond to the speeds of play indicated by
the entries 254 and 256, respectively, and thus to multipliers of
1.02 and 1.04, respectively. Accordingly, the payout table 300
defines a payout percentage which is higher than that of the payout
table 290. Similarly, the payout table 290 defines a payout
percentage which is higher than that of the payout table 280.
However, as indicated by Table 2, the revenue derived from the
gaming device can actually be higher even when the hold percentage
is lower.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Revenue Calculations for Selection Table 250
TABLE 280 TABLE 290 TABLE 300 Payout Percentage 95.4% 95.6% 96.0%
Hold Percentage 4.6% 4.4% 4.0% Minimum Plays per Minute 1 4 9
Maximum Plays per Minute 3 8 -- Minimum Average 0.046 0.177 0.362
Revenue per Minute Maximum Average 0.139 0.355 -- Revenue per
Minute
Although the present invention has been described with respect to a
preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will note
that various substitutions may be made to those embodiments
described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. For example, although a slot machine-type game
has been described, the present invention is likewise applicable to
other types of games, such as video poker, video blackjack and
video roulette.
Racing Game Embodiments
Various embodiments are contemplated in which slot machines are
configured to facilitate games with racing themes, such as races
involving automobiles, horses, runners or other racing objects.
According to some racing embodiments, players are rewarded in
accordance with their average speed of play. In some average speed
racing embodiments, the average speed of play can be calculated in
a manner similar to that which is disclosed with reference to step
156 of FIG. 6, such as by measuring the number of games played in a
predetermined period of time. In such embodiments, payouts may be
awarded as described with reference to the pay schedule table of
FIG. 9.
In other average speed embodiments, a "virtual average speed" can
be calculated based on an average of point values associated with
different symbols on the slot machine's reels. Thus, a racing game
may reward players based on their virtual average speed as
determined by an average of the value of symbols occurring on the
reels over a given amount of time or over a given number of
outcomes (i.e. "spins").
For example, a NASCAR.RTM. themed slot machine game may require
that players pre-purchase twenty five spins for twenty credits. The
sale of twenty-five spins for twenty credits could be marketed to
players as the sale and purchase of one "lap" around a racetrack.
Upon commencement of the game by the commitment (i.e. deposit) of
twenty credits, the player may initiate individual outcomes by, for
example, pulling on the slot machine's handle. Individual outcomes
may not by themselves directly lead to payouts, but may result in
additions or subtractions to a running subtotal of point values.
For example, an initial spin may yield the individual reel symbols
of "+10 mph", "+15 mph" and "+5 mph", for a total of 30 mph (or
points). A second spin may yield such symbols as "+20 mph", "+15
mph" and "+5 mph", for a per-spin total of 40 mph, and a running
subtotal total of 70 mph (i.e. 30 mph from the first spin plus 40
mph from the second spin). Indeed, certain symbols or outcomes may
result in a negative effect on a player's running count. For
example, a rain symbol occurring on the payline of the slot machine
may function to deduct 10 mph from the player's running count. Or,
a flat tire symbol occurring on the payline may deduct 25 mph from
the player's running count. Throughout the twenty five spin period,
the racetrack and the player's progress around the racetrack could
be as represented on a visual display, where a car associated with
the player may advance 1/25 of the racetrack's length after every
spin.
At the end of the 25 spin period, the player may be awarded a
payout based on his or her (1) finishing speed (i.e. the final sum
of reel symbol values that occurred during the 25 spin period),
and/or (2) virtual average speed (i.e. the average of the reel
symbols values that occurred during the 25 spin period.
Systems and methods for rewarding players of racing-themed games
based on the aggregate value of symbols occurring over a plurality
of gaming events is described in co-pending Utility patent
application Ser. No. 10/772,837, entitled "ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED SLOT MACHINE PLAY", filed Feb. 5,
2004; and in co-pending Utility patent application Ser. No.
10/778,576, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCED PLAY OF A
GAMING DEVICE", filed Feb. 13, 2004. These applications are
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
* * * * *